Sugar Pine Foundation giving away seedlings to be planted around Lake Tahoe

4/20 Update: The response was huge this weekend and all of the seedlings the Sugar Pine Foundation had to give way were gone in the first day! They have 2,000 more to distribute on Saturday, April 25 at 9:00 a.m. while supplies last, except at the Mountain Hardware location.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Sugar Pine Foundation has 10,000 seedlings that need to be planted soon and they are giving them away to people around Lake Tahoe. Their normal planting sessions had to be canceled due to coronavirus concerns and closures but the seedlings still need to get into the ground.

They have six locations in South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Incline Village and Kings Beach where people can pick up the sugar pine seedlings. It takes about one hour to plant one bag of 15 seedlings.

Seedlings are now available until supplies last at the following locations:

1458 Mt Rainier Dr, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
1600 Glenwood Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Tunnel Creek Cafe at 1115 Tunnel Creek Rd, Incline Village, NV 89451
8777 Speckled Ave, Kings Beach, CA 96143
Mountain Hardware at 11320 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161
16810 Glenshire Dr, Truckee, CA 96161

WHERE TO PLANT

In Your Yard!
Make sure the tree will have plenty of space to grow. Stay at least 10 ft from power or gas lines. Beneath a mature tree is not great.

In the Woods!
Forest openings where the tree will have plenty of light and space to grow. Sites with dense undergrowth or a dense canopy are not suitable, as well as meadows. Recently burned or cleared areas, eroded slopes, old logging roads, former construction sites, and open lots are best. Survival rates are best on north and east-facing aspects. Hot, dry, sandy, rocky, south-facing slopes are less favorable.

Be Creative!
Micro habitats by a log, rock or a nurse plant are ideal!

KNOW HOW TO PLANT

Following proper planting techniques will ensure the greatest possible survival.

It really is as easy as eight simple steps - if you don't have a hoedad planting tool, just use a shovel.

Check out the Sugar Pine Foundation's detailed Planting Instructions on their website - https://sugarpinefoundation.org/get-involved/at-home-activities.

Before digging, REMOVE ALL THE “DUFF” – pine needles or other decomposing forest litter that is on top of the soil. Scrape duff off to the side until you have bare mineral soil. Pro Tip: “Duff is the stuff that makes trees grow tuff.” Keep it nearby to use it later as mulch around your newly planted tree.

DIG A HOLE – as deep as your shovel spade is long, about 8-10’’ deep. If you are encountering rocks or having an unusually hard time, try a different spot.
Pro Tip: Don’t toss your good soil away as you’re digging. It is best to place it beside your hole so that you can quickly and easily refill the hole with this native soil.

PLACE YOUR TREE in the hole – keep the roots straight up and down! NO J ROOTS.
Pro Tip: Make sure the hole is deep enough that all of the roots are at least 1 inch beneath the level of the ground. Dig a deeper hole if necessary!

Refill the hole with SOIL. Do not refill with duff, pine needles, rocks or other debris. Sometimes some small rocks and pine needles will sneak in – that’s ok.
Pro Tip: It is better to “mine” soil from nearby to properly refill your hole with soil if you have to. Try not to leave craters behind by refilling as you can.

COVER ALL OF THE ROOTS WITH SOIL. It is very important that ALL of the delicate little white roots are covered with soil. Take your time and pay attention to do it right.

Do the “TREE DANCE” – Carefully “dance” around your tree, packing the soil around the roots. You can also pack the soil with your hands as you refill, but the tree dance is easier and more fun. Packing the soil is important so the roots don’t dry out. Pro Tip: Kids are the perfect size and weight for tree dancing. Also this works great for adults as long as you step carefully.

Do the TUG TEST. Gently but firmly pull on the stem of your tree to make sure it does not easily come out. If it comes out then you must start over and replant if necessary.

MULCH with all of the DUFF you initially removed. Covering the bare soil with 1-2” of duff prevents the soil from drying out. It works just like mulch in your garden.

BUILD A TREE SHRINE. Surround your tree with pine cones, rocks, sticks and whatever else you have available. This makes it easier to find on future watering missions.

WATER your newly planted seedling. It is not necessary, but it does help.

PLANT AGAIN – Walk 10 ft in any direction and plant again. It’s a good idea to concentrate your trees so they are easier to find on later watering missions.